Bracing



IFelo. l2, 1963 s. J. TABER ETAL 3,077,009

BRACING Filed Jan. s, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 1 @www Feb. 12, 1963 5,4. TABER ETAL l 3,077,009

BRACING 4V Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1956 N s Mw yh msm N mmm R V T o wlw mw Jam@ S. J. TABER ETAL Feb. l2, 1963 BRACING 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 9, 1956 Y1 VIA\ \\m N. 0 5. Am www 15H M mmmwo mf# w A? WHW,

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Feb. l2, 19634 i s, 1-ABER ETA; 3,077,009

BRACING 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 9, 1956 BRHCE 8 INVENToRs SAMUEL f 7215er? BYRoBERrI//uTcH/Nso/v @Wwf-WW A fro/INS Ys Patented Fehr. l2, i963 tice 3,i77,thi9 BRACN'G Samuel 3. abes, Minneapolis, and Robert i. Hutchinson, St. Louis Park, Minn.; said Hutchinson assigner to Herman. hficilheeters Filed lian. 9, 19de, Ser. No. 5%,9/7 6 Ciairns. (Ci. Zit-9) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in bracing or bridging of the type providing a readily adjustable brace particularly for utilization in bracing floor Jioists which may be readily inserted and removed without being nailed or screwed.

The bracing of this invention is particularly designed flor utilization as cross-bracing in cooperation With strengthening or reinforcing the joists of a floor in a building. As is weil known, the joists are set in spaced relation, with their ends supported on foundation walls or supporting beams and are then reinforced at intervals throughout their lengths. Customarily strips of Wood or metal are nailed in criss-crossed fashion to the joists for support, strengthening and retention thereof.

it has been proposed to use metal bracing or bridging comprised of tivo sections of cooperating channel and it is to this type of bracing that this invention is directed, since the types in present day usage are unsatisfactory in material respects.

it is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and useful channel bracing which may be readily instal'fed and locked in piace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily installed channel bracing which may be easily elongated or contracted for use between joists of varying spacinv.

Still another object of, the invention is to provide a new and useful toggle bracing ot' separable components having novel rneans for retaining the components in locked bracing position.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a new and usefui tvvo component channel bracing having novel ends for securing the same in position for bracing-licor joists or other structure.

Still a further object of this invention resides in the novel structural features of the individual channel cornponents forming the complete bracing.

@ther objects of the present invention are to provide a chanenl cross-bracing which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easily installed and adjusted, strong and readily locked in position.

ther and further objects of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

o the accomplishment of the foregoing and related this invention then comprises the features hereinafter fuiiy described particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these `eing indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

inthe drawings,

FIGURE l is an elevational view of the bracing of the instant invention utilized for the cross-bracing of two adjacent ioists, the joists being shown in vertical section;

FGURE 2 is a top plan view of. the female member of the instant invention;

FlGURE 3 is an elevational view of the same member partiy brei-:en away;

FiGURE 4 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows i-i of FIGURE 3;

5 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line and inthe direction of the arrows 5 5 of FEGURE 3;

FEGURE 6 is a top plan View of the mais member of the instant invention;

FIGURE 7 is an elevational View thereof, partly broken away;

FGURE 8 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 8-3 of FIG- URE 7;

FiGURE 9 is a sectional View tai-:en along the line and in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of FIGURE l;

FGURE i0 is a sectional View talren along the line and in the direction of the arrows ititl of FiGURE 1 FIGURE ll is an elevational View showing the invention used as cross-bracing for 6-inch joists;

FGURE l2 is a View similar to FGURE ll but showing the invention used for S-inch joists;

FIGURE i3 is a View similar to Fi-GURES l1 and i2, showing the invention in use `with lll-inch joists;

FIGURE i4 is a view similar to FIGURES ll-l3 but showing the invention in use with joists having only a 11i-inch spacing instead of the conventional lG-inch spacing;

FEGURE l5 is a view similar to FEGURE l but showing the invention during installation; and

FEGURE le is a fragmentary enlarged View of a portion of FIGURE l5.

Broadly speaking, the invention comprises a pair of cooperating channel brace members, one a rnale member having a tang, and the other a female having a recess to receive the tang, each member having unique engaging points at the exterior end thereof for engaging the Wood of the ioists, the mate member having a longitudinal ridge on each side iiange thereof which is adapted to be engaged by a short longitudinal detent on each side of the female member, the mate and female members having appropriate cooperatinfy and strengthening coniiguration. The two members are adjustably and releasably pivoted in overlapping engaged relation to provide a telescoped toggle bracing.

Thus, reference now specifically to FiGURES 2 and 3 will show the female member generally designated it) having a channel cross-section with side or depending lianges 11i and i2 and a center member or back flange 13. The iianges ll, i2 and i3 at one end of the member ltl terminate in an edge 14 which is at right angles to the maior extension ot the member it) in the preferred form, although edge 14 could be inclined or declined with respect thereto or of other configuration. At the other end of the member lit each flange ii or l2 terminates in points or spurs l5 and le joined by a recess i7 in each of the side ilanges it and i2 and a recess or intermediate depression iii in the center tlange i3. To re-state this, each of the side anges li and i?, at this end is provided with a terminal edge spur lo, formed by an edge that extends at an anale from edge 2l of the flange to the points lo, and by an edge extending from the point at an angle to recess 17; on the other side or" recess i7 is the juncture spur l5 formed by an inclined edge to the juncture of the iiange with center flange i3. As shown in FGURE 2, the points l5 are defined with reference to the flange i5 by conveying edges ending at recessed portion it?.

lt will be noted that the points l5 are of greater eX- tension than the points lo so that a plane (plane A) passed through points i5 and t6 will be at an acute angle with reference to the longitudinal centerline C of member itl. This provides that when the member iti is in the installed position of FIGURE l, the points i5 and i6 will both engage the Wood of the joists being supported, points l5 engaging slightiy before the engagement of points i6.

As will be noted with reference to FEGURE l, the bracing up of members id and is installed so that the member it) declines from its engagement with the joist and so that the member 3G inclines from its engagement with joist. This readily allows the installation of the brace I0, 31) as will subsequently be explained with reference to FIGURES 15 and 16. The extension of points I with reference to points 16 is such that when the bracing is Vin the position of FIGURE l, both points penetrate the wood joist but points have penetrated in advance of and slightly more than points 16.

Disposed in .the ange 13 is a plurality of aligned semicircular depressions 22, with the arcs of the semi-circles all pointing or oriented in the same direction and each joined at its diameter to a slot 23. In eacn one of the side lianges 1I and 12 there is an elongated longitudinally and inwardly extending detent 24 spaced upwardly from the edge 2li as `shown in FIGURE 3, and spaced adjacent edge 14. Likewise, in each of the flanges II and 12 is a downwardly tapered stiening bulge taking the conguration shown best in FIGURE 4 and extending 10Tlgitudinally of member 10. The bulge 25 terminates short of the detents 24 adjacent edges I4 and is spaced inwardly from end 15-17 as shown in FIGURE 3.

Reference now to FIGURES 6 and 7 shows the male member of channel construction similar to member 10. At end 14A of member 30, integral with ange 13A, is provided an extending offset tang 31, having a rounded exterior edge surface. Flange 13A is similar to ange 13 but in this instance is depressed to provide a center depression 32 having rounded ends 33 and providing parallel edge ridges 34.

Each of the anges 11A and 12A is provided with an elongated protuberance or rod-like bulge slightly above a median horizontal line thereof and extending :from adjacent the points or spurs 15A, 16A in the direction of end 14A. The end 36 of the bulge is spaced inwardly from edge 14A a distance as later explained. The points or spurs 15A and 16A are similar to points 15 and 16 except that in this instance points 16A extend a greater d-istance than points 15 and a plane (plane B) passed through the ends of points 15A and 16A will be parallel to a plane passed through the ends of points 15 and 16, (plane A) and at an acute angle with reference to the longitudinal centerline C of member 30.

In utilizing the bracing of this invention, it is conventionally installed as shown in FIGURE 1 between two depending floor joists .Il and I2 conventionally spaced 16 inches apart.

The cross braces are used in pairs, brace A extending in decline from left to right as shown in FIGURE 1 and brace B extending at an incline from left to right as shown in FIGURE l. Each of the braces comprises a male member I() and a female member 3d. Explanation of the installation of brace B will be explained and it is to be understod that brace A is similarly installed except that the points 15 and 16 of female member It) of brace B engage joist I2 and points 15 and 16 of brace A engage joist I 1 so that direction of extension of the fern-ale members, and consequently of the male members is reversed for the individual members of each pair of braces, as is conventional with any crossbracing- Braces A and B are positioned side-by-side or spaced as desired.

When it is desired to install one of the braces as shown for brace B in FIGURE 15, the points 16A of the male member 30 and 15 of the female member 10 are engaged with joists I1 and I2 respectively as shown. Previously, the tang 31 has been inserted in one of the slots 23 to form a separable hinge connection, the appropriate slot being chosen so that a slight toggle action is provided, and the overall extension of the bracing will increase as the female member 10 is moved from the position of FIG- URE 15 to the position of FIGURE 1 and the points 15 and 16A are driven into the resilient wood of joists I1 and I2. The members 10 and 3@ are installed so that the opening of the channel formed by the side anges is directed downwardly and the braces are initially above the ldiagonal D. The end 14 of female member 10 is then grasped or pushed from the position of FIGURE 15 to that of FIGURES l, 9 and l0 so that the detents 24 are positioned below the rod-like ridge 35 as shown in FIGURE 9, thus securely holding the members 10 and 30 in the position shown in FIGURE l.

In this position the upwardly offsetting of ythe tang 31 and the downward extension of depression 22 adjacent slot 23 allow at engagement of the top surface of the member 30 with the surface of member 10` upon the assumption of position shown in FIGURE l, the central depression 32 permitting the flat engagement of ridges 34 with the under surface of ange 13 which otherwise would be prevented by the underside of depressions 22.

Further, the bulged portions 25 cooperate with detents -24 and rod-like bulges or ridges 35 as shown in FIG- URES 9 and 10 to securely position the members 10 and 30 together.

If desired, the side flanges of the female member 10 may be slightly outwardly distorted adjacent the end of bulges 2S to edges 14 as shown in FIGURE 2 to provide an extended spaced relation so that the detents 24 may be eased into communication with rod-like bulges 35, since in the absence of the prolongation yof the bulges 25 they will normally assume this outwardly distorted position by the engagement of the detents 2-4 with the side walls 11 and 12 of the flanges when in the position of FIGURE l.

As the members 10 and 30 are positioned as shown in FIGURE 15, the bottom edges 21 of ilanges 11 and 12 will engage the ends 36 of the rod-like bulges 35 and it will take pressure 4to spring anges 11 and 12 with refer-l ence to each other so that member 10 may be positioned as shown in FIGURE 1. For this reason, the ends 36 of bulges 35 are spaced inwardly from end 14A of member 30 a slight distance so that the spacing between edges 21 of member 30 and the top ange 13 of member 10 at end 14 is just large enough so that members 10 and 30 may be comfortably grasped by a persons hand to force them from the position of FIGURE 15 to the position of FIGURE 1. Of course, other positioning of ends 36 could be used to provide greater or lesser toggle eiect of the two lbraces without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention but the preferred form is shown.

lFIGURES 4 and 5 particularly show the cross-sectional configuration of member 10 and FIGURE 8 particularly shows the cross-section of member 39.

FIGURES 9 and 10 reveal in detail the cooperation of members 10 and 39 when in the position of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 11-13 show how a pair of braces A and B are positioned to support joists of varying heights of standard 16 width, and FIGURE 14 shows the ybracing supporting joists spaced only 14 inches apart rather than the conventional 16 inches.

It is apparent that many modications and variations of this invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specic embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed: Y

1. As an article of manufacture, a telescoping bracing comprising iirst and second sections, said first and second sections comprising channel members having a back wall and depending side wals, the back wall of one of said channel members having a plurality of spaced apertures, each spaced aperture adjoined by a depression, the positioning of said depressions being oriented in the same direction, the back wall of said other channel member having a tang engaged with one of said apertures and having an elongated central depressed portion for accommodation of said depressed portions of said first member therein; said tang when engaged in an aperture also lying in the depressed portion adjacent thereto of said one channel member.

2. As an article of manufacture, a telescoping bracing comprising rst and second sections, each of said sections comprising a channel member having a back wall and depending side walls, a tang formed on one of said back walls, the other of said back walls having at least one opening, said tang engaged in said opening and forming a separable hinge, one of said channel members being an inner member and one of said channel members being an outer member, the side walls of said inner member being provided with longitudinally extending ridges, the side walls of said outer member each Abeing provided with detent means for engagement with said ridges for securing said members in engaged position, said ridges terminating a substantial distance short of said separable hinge, and the side flanges of said outer member being provided with bulged portions in addition to said detent means for cooperating with said longitudinally extending ridges of said inner member for securely locking said members in position.

3. As an article of manufacture, a two section telescoping toggle brace comprising an inner male channel member having a back flange joined to depending side flanges and a female outer channel member having a back flange joined to depending side flanges, one end ofthe back flange of said male member having an extending tang off-set in a direction opposite to the extension of said side flanges, the back flange of said female member being provided with a plurality of spaced transverse rectangular slots, each having a semi-circular depression adjacent thereto, said semicircular depressions being oriented in one direction whereby when said tang is positioned in one of said apertures, it extends into abutment with said semi-circular depression and forms a separable hinge for said channel mem-bers, each of said channel members having an end that extends beyond the other channel member when the tang of said male member is engaged in a slot of said female member, the back flange of said inner member being provided with a longitudinally depressed portion extending substantially the length thereof, said portion being depressed in the direction of the extension of said depending flanges, each of said depending flanges of said inner member being provided with a longitudinally extending ridge positioned above the median line of said flange and extending from adjacent the extending end of said innermember but terminating in spaced relation to the tang end of said inner member, each of said depending flanges of said inner member =being provided with two extending spurs joined by an intermediate depression, one of said spurs being positioned at the juncture of said side flange with said back flange and the other of said spurs being positioned at the terminal edge of said side flange, the terminal edge spurs extending a greater distance than the other spurs, said female outer member being provided at its interior end with a pair of longitudinally extending detents spaced below the median line of said side flanges, said side flanges of the female outer channel member being provided with a pair of outward bulges extending downwardly from above the median line of said flange to a point therebelow, said bulges being downwardly tapered on said flanges and each of the depending flanges of said outer member being provided with two extending spurs joined by an intermediate depression, one of said spurs being positioned at the juncture of said side flange with said back flange and the other of said spurs being positioned at the terminal edge of said side flange, the terminal edge spurs extending a lesser distance than the other spurs.

4. The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that said side flanges of said female member are distorted adjacent the end thereof that engages said male member to provide an extended spaced relation.

5. As an article of manufacture, a telescoping bracing comprising a first channel member having a back flange joined to depending side flanges, a second. channel member having a back flange and joined to depending side flanges, one end of the back flange of said first member having a tang offset from the plane of the back flange of said first member, the back flange of said second member being provided with a plurality of apertures for the receipt of said tang, portions of the back flange of said second member adjacent each of said apertures being offset in the opposite direction relative to its side flanges as the tang is offset relative to the side flanges of said first member, said tang engaged in one of said apertures to form a separable hinge, the back flange of said first member being provided with an offset portion extending substantially the length thereof but terminating in spaced relation to the ends thereof, and said offset portion of said first member being offset in a direction opposite to that of the tang of said first member; whereby when the tang of said first member is engaged in an aperture of said second member, the tang lies in the offset portion of said second mem-oer adjacent the engaged aperture and offset portions of said second member overlying said first member are accompanied by the offset portion of said rst member when said members are in bracing position.

6. An article of manufacture comprising -a two section telescoping toggle brace comprising a first channel member having a back ange joined to depending side flanges, a second channel member comprising a back flange joined to depending side flanges, means for forming a severablc hinge therebetween, one of said memebrs providing an inner member and the others of said mem-bers providing an outer member when said members are in bracing relation, each of the depending flanges of said inner member being provided with a longitudinally extending ridge positioned above the median line of said flange and terminating in spaced relation to the ends thereof, each of said members having a free end extending beyond the other member, said means comprising a tang on one of said members, the other of said members having an opening, said 'tang engaging in said opening to form a separable hinge, each of the depending side flanges of said outer member -being provided at its end opposite its free end with a longitudinally extending detent spaced below the median line of said side flanges and positioned -below and engaging said elongated ridges of said interior member; said outer member depending side flanges each also having an outward bulge extending downwardly from above the median line of said flange to a point therebelow, and said bulge being downwardly tapered on said flange and terminating short of the ends thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 856,159 Keller lune 4, 1907 1,793,035 Whitney Feb. 17, 1931 2,237,212 Birdsong Apr. 1, 1941 2,247,024 Hurley June 24, 1941 2,350,113 Hurley May 30, 1944 2,455,629 Van Stone Dec. 7, 1948 2,542,964 Koett Feb. 20, 1951 2,617,154 Sutton et al Nov. 11, 1952 2,658,241 Houghton et al Nov. l0, 1953 2,771,261 Niggeloh Nov. 20, 1956 2,803,858 Rader Aug. 27, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,444 Great Britain Dec. 20, 1892 OTHER REFERENCES Architectural Forum, page 228, February 1951, vol. 94, Glover Mfg. and Sales Co., Akron, Ohio. 

1. AS AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE, A TELESCOPING BRACING COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS, SAID FIRST AND SECOND SECTIONS COMPRISING CHANNEL MEMBERS HAVING A BACK WALL AND DEPENDING SIDE WALS, THE BACK WALL OF ONE OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS HAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED APERTURES, EACH SPACED APERTURE ADJOINED BY A DEPRESSION, THE POSITIONING OF SAID DEPRESSIONS BEING ORIENTED IN THE SAME DIRECTION, THE BACK WALL OF SAID OTHER CHANNEL MEMBER HAVING A TANG ENGAGED WITH ONE OF SAID APERTURES AND HAVING AN ELONGATED CENTRAL DEPRESSED PORTION FOR ACCOMMODATION OF SAID DEPRESSED PORTIONS OF SAID FIRST MEMBER THEREIN; SAID TANG WHEN ENGAGED IN AN APERTURE ALSO LYING IN THE DEPRESSED PORTION ADJACENT THERETO OF SAID ONE CHANNEL MEMBER. 